3 year dread journey

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• Protective Hairstyles

The 5 Stages of Locs: What to Expect During the Process

From starter locs to rooted.

@OFFICIALLISABONET / Design by Dion Mills

Once you decide to embark on the beautiful journey of getting locs , it's easy to feel confused on where to start and what each step of the process entails. There are five different stages of locs and each stage requires different maintenance and care. The five stages of locs are: starter, budding, teen, mature, and rooted. 

When you reach the rooted stage of your dreadlocks, the versatility in hairstyles that awaits you is endless but it takes some time to get there. The average loc journey can take 18-24 months so it's definitely a process that requires a lot of patience and upkeep.

If you're ready to commit to this hairstyle, then please read ahead as two master locticians breakdown every stage of the loc'ing process and arm you with tips and product recommendations to ensure that your loc journey will be as smooth as possible.  Keep scrolling to get a full breakdown of the loc stages.

Meet the Expert

• Chimere Faulk is a natural hairstylist, loctician, and the founder of loc care brand Dr. Locs .
• Courtney Grayton is a master loctician, hair educator and the owner of Hair Goals , a hair salon in District Heights, Maryland.

How to Prep Your for Your Loc Journey

Courtney Grayton recommends having at least 3-4 inches of relatively healthy hair before setting up your loc appointment. "Though not absolutely necessary, it would be a great idea to get a professional trim as split ends are not able to accept and retain moisture properly," she adds.

Grayton also suggests doing hydration treatments such as a deep conditioning or a steam treatment to help give your hair extra moisture. This helps prepare your hair for the change in routine it's about go through. 

Stage One - Starter Locs

@jaidotfoot

The starter (aka "baby") stage of the loc process can last anywhere from three to six months, depending on your hair type and how fast it grows. There are several styles—such as braids, two-strand twists, comb coils, and palm rolls—that you can choose from to start your locs. This is the stage where you'll begin to create a parting pattern if you wish. You could also always opt for a free-form look, where you don't "cultivate" or control section size and simply allow your hair to be . Either way, it's important that you don't create sections that are too small, as locs can break off if they're too thin or too dry. 

"In the starter stage, it may seem difficult because your hair keeps coming undone when shampooing," says Faulk. "Dr Locs’ Jinan Leave-In Conditioner ($27) is a perfect daily regimen to use to keep your scalp and baby locs moisturized."

The length of this stage is entirely determined by your hair type and how fast your hair typically grows, but expect about three to six months. Your locs will look pretty uniform and neat. The best course of action during this stage? Just letting them grow.

Stage Two - Budding Locs

@locdess

During the budding phase, you might notice that your new growth is puffy and on the fuzzy side. "During this stage, your hair will start to stick or matte together at the tops of your coils after shampooing," Faulk notes. However, it's still crucial that you are consistently and thoroughly cleansing your hair to avoid build-up, bumps, and weak spots. "Dr. Locs' Yasin Shampoo ($27) is designed to run fluidly throughout your hair and to never create a product build-up. You’ll notice less of your coils come undone, making it easier to groom afterward."

It's a great idea to practice a re-twisting routine to maintain the style of locs you choose or to transition in loc sizingx. You can keep track of the original section partings when re-twisting or maintaining a free-form style without parting. It allows you to get into a consistent routine while keeping up with the rapid growth process. This stage can last anywhere between six to 12 months.

It may be tempting to re-twist often, but it's important not to overdo it, as this can lead to thinning locs and breakage that can prolong your loc growth.

Stage Three - Teenage Locs

Jacopo Raule / Getty Images

"The teenage stage feels fun because you start to see the vision," Faulk says. However, this is also the stage where you wonder what could be going on with your hair. Too short to lie down easily, your teenage locs may seem to sprout all over your head and go in whatever direction they want. This can be a tough stage for some, but if you can persevere, it'll be worth it.

Faulk explains: "Your locs start to plump up and develop their form. You want to be careful with product use before the next steps because of product build-up. Dr Locs' Imani Locking Spray ($22) is a water-based solution designed to gently hold locs in place without excessive build-up." This is also an excellent time to invest in and experiment with accessories such as scarves, headbands, and head wraps . They'll enable you to play around with different styles and jazz things up. 

This stage can last anywhere from 12 to 15 months and again, you don't want to re-twist too much because it can cause damage to your hair.

Stage Four - Mature Locs

@spiritlovesbeauty

"The mature stage could begin as early as one year after beginning your journey depending upon the texture of your hair," Faulk tells us. Don't worry if you're over a year in and you don't feel your locs aren't mature yet, though; looser hair textures often take longer.

You know you've reached the mature stage (about 15 to 18 months) when your locs are finally long enough to lie flat or hang down. Faulk asserts that "maturing occurs when your locs are firm and there’s no more reforming," so you won't have to re-twist your new growth as often during this period. The locs should be thick enough to support themselves. Odds are you'll be comfortable with your locs by now, and able to enjoy a regular shampooing and conditioning routine.

Stage Five - Rooted Locs

@officiallisabonet

Once your locs are firmly in place, you're officially in the rooted or "adult" stage. "This stage comes several years later," Faulk makes a point of saying. "In the final stage, your locs will hang differently. They feel heavier and at the same time more slender." This will be around 18 to 21 months.

At this point, you'll be able to wear your locs well past your waist or trim them if you want a more manageable style. What's more: Your hair care routine can be as simple or as complex as you like, although Faulk emphasizes that "throughout each stage, you want to make sure you keep your locs hydrated."

If you're not comfortable with re-twisting or even choosing a starter loc hairstyle, you can always visit a professional loctician, who can guide you in the right direction.

Moisture Retention and Low-Manipulation Help You Maintain Healthy Locs

Grayton says that moisture retention and low-manipulation are key to helping you maintain healthy locs in each and every stage of your loc journey. "The tried-and-true way to moisturize your locs is through the “hydrate and seal” process. This involves using a water-based product to add hydration to the hair and then sealing that moisture in by applying an oil-based product on top."

Grayton recommends using a water-based product like Froetry's Free Spirit Curl Refresher ($22) and a oil-based product like Froetry's Ooh Baby Healing Growth Serum ($16) to help hydrate and moisturize your locs.

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Loc Stages By Month: A Complete Timeline

Dreadlocks , often abbreviated as locs, can be a beautiful and unique hairstyle when worn correctly. There are many ways to wear dreadlocks , and each person's style is unique. This guide will show you the four main stages of hair growth for dreadlocks based on the month in which they are started. Each stage has its unique look and requires different care techniques. So whether you're just starting your dreadlock journey or rocking them for years, this guide will help you understand where your locs are and how to care for them accordingly. Let's get started!

Monthly Loc Stages

If you're new to locs , you might wonder how they change and develop over time. In this blog post, we'll break down the different stages of locs by month so you know what to expect as your locs grow and mature. Keep reading to learn more! 

So, you've decided to take the plunge and start your loc journey! Here's a look at what you can expect during your first month of locs.

The first few weeks after installing your locs will be spent getting used to your new hairstyle. Your scalp may be tender, and you'll probably have to adjust to not being able to see your whole face in the mirror! It would be best if you were careful not to handle them too much, as this can cause them to unravel. Be sure to moisturize your locs regularly, as they will be prone to drying out during this stage.

You'll also notice that your locs are growing fast during this time! This is because when your hair is in its early stages of forming, the roots hold on tighter than they will once the locs fully mature. This means that your locs will be extra strong and resilient during this time, so don't be afraid to experiment with different styles.

One thing to keep in mind during month one is that your locs will require a bit more care and attention than they will later on. This is because they are still adjusting to their new environment and are more susceptible to things like drying out or getting tangled. Be sure to moisturize regularly and use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle any knots that may form.

Overall, month one is a time of adjustment—both for you and your new locs! There's a lot of trial and error involved, but it's all part of the fun. Just remember to be patient and take good care of your locs , and you'll be well on your way to healthy, happy hair.

Related Link: The Best Loc Styles For Ladies

Congratulations on making it to the second month of your loc journey ! Your locs are starting to mature and take shape, but they require special care and attention. Taking care of your locs in the second month is about maintaining moisture levels, preventing buildup, and retwisting as needed.

Wash Your Locs Regularly

It's important to wash your locs regularly, especially in the early stages when they are prone to buildup. You should aim to wash your locs at least once a week, using a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Be sure to rinse your locs thoroughly after washing to remove all traces of shampoo and conditioner.

Would you like to learn more about dreadlocks? Check out our blog  for more styling tips, tricks and more.

Deep Condition Your Locs

Deep conditioning of your locs is also important in the second month. This will help keep them hydrated and prevent them from drying out. You can deep condition your locs at home by applying a deep conditioner to your locs and covering them with a shower cap for 30 minutes.

Retwist Your Locs as Needed

As your locs continue to grow, you may find that they need to be retwisted more frequently. Retwisting helps keep your locs neat and tidy, and it also helps them maintain their shape. You should aim to retwist your locs every two weeks or so. If you find that your locs are starting to unravel, you can retwist them sooner.

Three Months

By three months, your locs will be fully matured. They will be thicker and more robust than they were at the previous stage. You can experiment with different styles at this stage, but be sure not to put too much strain on your locs. continue to moisturize regularly to keep them healthy and hydrated. 

Related Link: The Best 2 Strand Twist Styles for Locs

Six Months and Beyond 

Stage 1: The Growing Pains Stage (6-9 months)

This is the stage where your locs will start to thicken and mature. You may find that your locs are more prone to tangles and knots during this stage, so be sure to use a gentle, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner when washing your hair. Deep conditioning treatments will become your new best friend!

Stage Two: The Settling In Stage (9-12 months)

By now, your locs should be fully settled and starting to look their best. If you haven't already, this is a great time to experiment with different styles and see what you like best. Whether you opt for a sleek updo or a playful bowtie style, rock your locs with confidence!

Stage Three: The Maintenance Stage (12+ months)

Once your locs have reached the 12-month mark, they'll require much less maintenance than they did in the early stages. That said, it's still important to keep up with regular trims and touch-ups to keep your locs looking their best. Deep conditioning treatments can also be done every few weeks to keep your hair healthy and hydrated.

Interested in further loc hair care products? Check out our products page for detailed descriptions on the best loc care products. 

Loc Journey Photos From Day 1 to Year 15

Whether you have yet to start your loc journey or are a few years in, you’ve undoubtedly wondered, “what will my locs look like in the future?” At what point will you reach your “goal length?” Maybe even “Should my locs be budding yet?” Because everyone’s journey is different, there is no formula for where you’ll be in the future. But take a look to get inspired and see the possibilities with these yearly comparison loc journey photos.

Table of Contents

Year 1 & under loc journey photos, year 2 loc journey photos, year 3 loc journey photos, year 4 loc journey photos, year 5 & over loc journey photos.

That first year of locing your hair is filled with anticipation and wonder. Moreover, in your first year of locing, your hair will undergo many changes. You may experience a lot of shrinkage to the point where you think your hair is shorter than the beginning of the process! However, this is completely normal. During this stage, your locs will also start to bud and form baby locs.

1 Month Locd

6 Months Locd

7 Month Locd Journey

9 Month Loc Journey

1 Year Locd Journey

1 Year Loc Journey

Back Up Top

At 2 years in, your locs are still maturing. However, your hair will have taken on much more of a locd appearance. You may find your hair appears to grow faster. Likely what it is is reduced breakage and less shrinkage. 

2 Year Loc Journey

At three years in your locs journey, your hair is fully matured. If you started with under 2-3 inches of hair, your locs are likely shoulder length by now. You may start to notice some lighter colored locs. No worries. If so, you’re likely getting some natural hair dye by the sun.

3 Year Loc Journey

Year 3 Loc Journey

At 4 years locd you’ve probably hit your stride. You’ll be seeing increased growth from year 3. At this point, you’ve probably experimented with different care routines and styles. Maybe you’ve even considered cutting your locs . However, at four years in, there is still much more to come if you continue your journey.

4 Year Loc Journey

Over half a decade locd!

At this point, you’ve gone through a lot of changes with your locs. You’ve probably dealt with (and hopefully conquered) build up as well as developed good routines. What’s next from here is just a continuation of the journey.

5 Year Loc Journey

7 Year Loc Journey

10 Year Loc Journey

Almost 15 Year Loc Journey

Those are just some snapshots of loc journeys. Remember, everyone goes through their own journey. These photos just serve as a guide of what one can expect. But there are so many factors that’ll impact how your loc journey unfolds over time.

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Dreadlock growth timeline - three months

At three months, your dreads should be beginning to hold together on their own.

Shop-started locks should be well into felting by now, and you're probably going in for the first maintenance to reweave any new growth. (Michael here is clearly ready for a touch up.) No matter how they were started, this is a good time to start adding wet palm rolling to the routine - it gives you way more bang for your palm rolling buck!

Maintenance Techniques

Allow us to blind you with some science: hair is made up of long chains of amino acids held together by various chemical bonds. Breaking and reforming those bonds is how you change the texture of your hair, say from straight to curly, or vice versa. Every time you get your hair wet you temporarily break the hydrogen bond which, as it dries, reforms in whatever shape you've put it in. Palm rolling when wet will encourage the lumps and loose hairs you patiently roll back into the dread to stay where you put them. After you wash your locks, you'll want to towel off; this technique is best done on damp hair, not sopping wet. If you're using Locksteady Tightening Gel, add a little bit to each damp dread and palm roll. Yeah, it's that easy! When your locks are dry you'll notice that the dread is feeling tighter, and with time the lock itself will start to feel denser. When it's dried completely, your roots and ends will be much easier to work on!

Helpful Products for This Stage

LockSteady Tropical Tightening Gel

Easy to use (and easy to clean up!) Tightening Gel doubles the effectiveness of your palm roll!

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Knot-Tea Scalp Tonic

Running low on supplies? Check out the customizable Maintenance Kit to get everything you want in one swoop.

1. The Locksteady Tightening Gel is recommended for use on wet hair only. But maybe you want to palm roll more often than you wash your hair? In a spray bottle, mix some of the tightening gel and enough water to keep the nozzle from clogging. Spray away! Ask for help if you need it, and use your available resources!

2. The FAQs are a massive database of every question we've been asked and solution we've come across. Customer Service is always around to answer questions and help with any situation you run into, and we can hook you up with professional dread stylists should you choose to put your hair in someone else's capable hands. No matter how messy it gets or how hopeless it seems, call us before you decide that it's just too much work - every Knotty Kid has been there, even us. We're here to help!

Join the Knotty family on Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter to have give-aways and the latest dreadful tips 'n' tricks flown straight to your inbox!

From the blog…

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• Making the Move to Natural Hair
• Wax On, Wax Off?
• Video Tutorial: How to Remove Dreadlocks Without Cutting
• Cut-and-Runs: Dreadlock Theft & What You Can Do
• Pin Up Rockabilly-Style Dreadlock Updo

9 Life Lessons I Learned After 4 Years with Locs

February 18, 2022. This day marks four years that I’ve had my locs!! 

You know what this means?! I basically just earned my bachelor’s degree in dreadlockology, or locology for short. Sounds prestigious, I know! Hence why I wrote a deeply inspiring article— please hold your applause till the end. 😉 

In all seriousness, I’ve been reflecting on my loc journey up until now and realized the many things that it has taught me thus far. 

You may ask- does someone need to get dreadlocks to become enlightened or learn the lessons I did? HA! Absolutely not, but I thought it was worth it to share.

1. Live a life without regrets. 

I remember the day I decided to get dreads, as well as the many conflicting thoughts I had leading up to that moment. On the one hand, I loved the hair style on other people. But what if I hated the way it looked on me? Would people judge me? Would this decision put my job in jeopardy?

I had way too many questions, so I did what any rational person would do…I sought out the help of dreadlock gurus on YouTube and binge-watched everything I could find. 

Finally, I came to a satisfying conclusion. Life is short and hair grows back (for most of us, anyway). So without questioning my thoughts any further, I took the leap. 

Since then, have I missed my straight hair? Sure I have! But only a handful of times. I genuinely have no regrets about locking my hair.

2. You get to define your own standard of beauty— don’t try to fit someone else’s.  

We live in a world plagued by filters and photoshopped images. As a result, our society’s standard of what is beautiful has reached a level that is basically unattainable. 

You know what, though? I say, to hell with it!

The most beautiful things in life are imperfect and free. And dreadlocks are an exact reminder of that. 🙂 

3. People are much deeper than stereotypes. 

How many times have you heard “Do not judge a book by its cover?” Probably more times than you can count.

I think it’s human to make generalizations about people based on first impressions— not that it’s okay to jump to conclusions without getting to know the person or make assumptions solely based on looks— but it’s completely natural for thoughts to pop into our heads.

Now, I’m sure you know, there are many stereotypes associated with the dreadlock community, and the majority of them are not good. 

I’ve been asked so many random questions with respect to my locs ( for the curious, the list can be found here ) and I love the reactions of those who invest a minute in me and learn that I don’t meet hardly any of the stereotypes. 

In the process, I’ve also learned not to take anyone’s judgements to heart. Some people are simply misinformed.

4. Break free of your comfort zone. 

A wise person once said: Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Sometimes what you’re most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free.

Nothing brought me out of my comfort zone quicker than going out in public with my locs. At first, especially, I felt people staring at me everywhere I went. I could not go unnoticed. It definitely made me uncomfortable (particularly on the days when I couldn’t tame my hair) but I learned to live with it. 

Fast-forward four years. It doesn’t even phase me that my hair is ‘different’. My locs give me a sense of freedom that straight hair never did.

5. Learn to let go of the things you cannot control. 

Dreadlocks have a mind of their own, seriously! One day they cooperate like well-behaved children, and other days they are unmanageable rebels. It’s on those days that you have to learn to inhale, exhale, and let go. 

It’s a lot like life, wouldn’t you say? There are so many things that we have no control over. When you let go of the outcome or expectation of something, you start to live in the present.

6. We’re constantly evolving. Take a moment to look back and see the progress you’ve made.

Dreadlocks are ever-changing. In the day-to-day, it doesn’t feel like my locs have experienced a drastic transformation. But when I look at photos of my day one, year one, year two, etc.. I’m shocked to see the difference! 

In the same way, there are times where my life feels stagnant. Since 2020 especially, I often felt like I was in a slump that I could’t get myself out of. I’m certain that lockdowns and restrictions had a lot to do with it, but in retrospect, it was a time where I grew a lot, both professionally and as a person— I just didn’t take the time to look back long enough to even notice. 

7. Be patient. Anything meaningful in life requires a long-term commitment.

Anyone with dreadlocks can attest to the fact that they demand a great deal of patience. Not only do you have to commit to keeping them clean and healthy, but more importantly, when they’re in your head, they’re there to stay (for some time, anyway). 

Here are a few cool facts to give you perspective on the level of patience they require.

• Locs go through a few phases to reach their ‘maturity’— we’ll call these phases baby, teen, and adult. Depending on a person’s hair type, it can take as little as a year and as much as three years to reach the adult phase!
• Not everyone goes to a professional loctician but I do. My first appointment (for installation) took 8 hours, plus one stretch break. My annual maintenance appointment takes between 4 to 5 hours— and that’s only to touch up the roots!
• Washing dreadlocks is quick and easy but drying them takes almost an entire day. The thicker your locs are, the longer they’ll remain wet. Mine take an average of 8 hours to dry completely. 

Dreadlocks serve as a great reminder to stay committed to the things that are important to you. 

8. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. 

Throughout my loc journey, I sometimes caught myself comparing my dreads to someone else’s. Theirs looked perfect, and mine were full of loops. Their roots were tidy and evenly sectioned, and mine were disheveled. Etc, etc. Eventually I learned to hush the negative voice in my head and started being kind to myself. 

You see, every person on earth has one thing in common: we are all different! Everything that makes us human— our DNA, fingerprints, personality, set of beliefs, life experiences, etc— are unique. In a similar way, each of my dreads are different and unique, and I’m okay with that. 

9. Learn to love yourself. 

“Love yourself” sounds kind of narcissistic, so I like to re-word it and say “embrace every part of your being”.

For as long as I can remember, the opinion of other people always surpassed my own. One of the things I give my dreadlocks credit for is that they helped improve my self-esteem. Learning to be at peace with messy hair despite the possibility of being judged as a result of it moved me from a place of self-hatred to a place of self-acceptance. 

I’ve learned to embrace who I am. Wild hair, free spirit, lover of people, nature, and everything in between. This is me, take it or leave it. 🙂 

Dreadlocks taught me to live life on my own terms. And I found much freedom in doing so. What has your loc journey taught you? Let me know in the comments.

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